On the southern point of Twofold Bay, very obvious from boats entering or leaving the bay, there is a square sandstone tower looking out towards the Pacific Ocean but apparently without a purpose. This is Boyds Tower built by Benjamin Boyd during his expansive time around Twofold Bay intended to be a lighthouse for his whaling ships working from Twofold Bay.
About 1846, Benjamin Boyd directed that a prominent tower be built on Red Point near the southern side of Twofold Bay. The tower was built of sandstone blocks imported by sea from Sydney, landed at East Boyd in Twofold Bay, then hauled by bullock dray to the tower site. Stone masons completed work on the formed blocks of sandstone which were then hoisted by gantry to be placed on the tower. Using this high cost sandstone made the tower very expensive.
Boyd intended to use the tower as a lighthouse to guide his whaling ships back into Twofold Bay but intended to light the beacon only when his vessels needed it. But the relevant government department did not agree with private lighthouses and directed that any lighthouse erected along the coast must provide a reliable light throughout the hours of darkness and be available for all mariners. Boyd had absolutely no intention of providing a public navigation light and declined the condition. The tower was never lit.
Later the Davidsons used the tower as a lookout for whales.
|
